Greek Charters - ICC for Skipper AND 1stMate?

[Whiskey Bravo]

We've chartered all over the world but did notice this year, for the first time, that the boat papers [3 different yachts/companies/areas of Greece & Turkey] contained 'certificates' issued by organisations unkown to us stating we were qualified. I assume that the details of our ICC's we submitted on booking were the basis for these. What this actually means is unclear, we were certainly never asked to produce the boat papers anywhere we moored.

 

[Tranona]

We've chartered all over the world but did notice this year, for the first time, that the boat papers [3 different yachts/companies/areas of Greece & Turkey] contained 'certificates' issued by organisations unkown to us stating we were qualified. I assume that the details of our ICC's we submitted on booking were the basis for these. What this actually means is unclear, we were certainly never asked to produce the boat papers anywhere we moored.

You won't be asked direct by officials. Evidence of your competence is needed by the charter operator in order to get the charter permit for your usage of the boat. In Greece you will find in the papers a big card with a stamp from the Port Police for every charter. On the rare occasion another Port Police wants the documents this is what they look for to show it is a legal charter.

As discussed earlier, the actual piece of evidence required to get the stamp is not defined, but increasingly Port Police are asking for certified qualifications - so in turn operators want to ensure that potential charterers have these.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

We've booked to go with Neilson next year. I've 'phoned them and asked what the regulations are in Turkey. The nice young man told me that the Turkish authorities are talking about making an ICC mandatory, but at present there is no such requirement.

 

[nortada]

Maybe our law abiding UK charter companys require this now. However some of the "local" charterers (let's not even mention Italians, Bulgarians, Russians..) we saw in Greece this season both in the Sporades and Saronic Gulf, had absolutley no idea about boat handling, such that in some instances they were putting themselves and others at risk. Invariably when it starts to get busy now, we adopt a very "defensive" position.

You have now opened that real can of worms.

Just because folk have qualifications, it is no guarantee that they are competent or know what they are doing!

 

[cgull]

Need to demonstrate competence to charter a boat?

Seems reasonable to me & ICC is the easiest qualification. You would not expect to hire a car abroad without a driving license.

As I fellow water user, your competence (especially in close quarter situations, marinas etc.) could have a direct impact on my well-being!

Mate qualified, interesting development. Depending on what you are doing could be OTT.

Off thread - ever tried to hire an aircraft without a pilot's license & even an instrument rating?

What qualifications do skippers need for the Vendee Globe Race?

 

[mcframe]

The official Croatian maritime pdf file in English is here.

That's actually quite interesting - for the way they have transcribed the "quals" from various countries into their local regs.

Ignoring the MCA Master/Mate/OOW/Engineer, and looking at UK stuff, I see that <10m is 30GT, <24M is 100GT (but <500Gt pops up for RYA Coastal), *and* that a DS theory is just as good as a DS practical (69 & 69a) - even YMOcean theory is good for <30GT!

I don't quite know why "Day Skipper practical course completion certificate (tidal or non – tidal)" is OK for <30GT, but "Day Skipper Certificate of Competence"!?!?!? is <100GT....

So much for all those (us) forumites claiming that theory and completion don't count and the CoCs are all that matter...

(I /must/ get a good passport photo of me wearing a tie and then get my YMOffshore)

 

[nortada]

What qualifications do skippers need for the Vendee Globe Race?

Don't know, but they don't do much close quarter handling near me, or for that matter, anybody

 

[rallyveteran]

Need to demonstrate competence to charter a boat?

Seems reasonable to me & ICC is the easiest qualification. You would not expect to hire a car abroad without a driving license.

As I fellow water user, your competence (especially in close quarter situations, marinas etc.) could have a direct impact on my well-being!

Then, two posts later...

Just because folk have qualifications, it is no guarantee that they are competent or know what they are doing!

Make your mind up!

Should you need to demonstrate competence to own a boat?

 

[nortada]

Then, two posts later...

Make your mind up!

Should you need to demonstrate competence to own a boat?

Yes, if you are in close quarters with others. You do to drive a car.

I believe in good qualifications indicating competence.

Unfortunately, in reality, it is all too easy to get qualifications through the back door, which are not worth the paper they are written on. The results are frequently seen in marinas throughout the season.

Not really sure what the answer is - short of an external examination process (a la motoring) but this could prove cumbersome & self defeating

I used to believe that you should be allowed to risk your life at sea provided that it was at no risk to others. However, as others will always risk their lives when you get into difficulties, I now realize my view was niave.

One last point - qualifications or not will never overcome an overconfident prat on the helm; in the same way a motor driving license will ever make the immature teenage driver safe behind the wheel of a powerful car or on a motorbike. Again don't know how this problem can be resolved. Lots of big fenders!